The kanji of Kyoto 京都 directly translate to "Capital City".

Originally, the capital in Japan is where the emperor lives, and Kyoto was home to the emperors through 794 to 1868. So for over 1000 years, Kyoto was the capital of Japan until the government system was set up in Japan in year 1868, before moving the capital to Edo, modern Tokyo.

Still thought to be the heart of Japan, the name remains and it is now commonly known as the cultural capital of Japan. 

The Heian period (794 to 1185) saw a great flourish in Japanese culture from literature to paintings due to the decline in Chinese influences and the mature of Japanese culture.

As a capital city, it is the central of trade and innovation. For almost 400 years, art and culture grew in Kyoto, and many were still remained in modern days.

One culture that is still popular is the art of Japanese tea garden and its tea ceremony.

11th century:

Home to the oldest Tea plantation in Japan

15th century:

The start of Tea ceremony

It was not until the 15th - 16th centuries that tea ceremony become commonly practised. As the capital of city, many warlords, wealthy traders and literati gathered in Kyoto to enjoy sophisticated tea ceremonies by tea masters. With the demand for tea ceremony, many tea ceremony crafts and tea plantations where created.

In fact, the main tea ceremonies schools still have their headquarters in Kyoto, and many traditional tea shops remain in Kyoto where you can be present and appreciate real tea ceremonies.

Practise of mindfulness in Tea making

Tea is more than just a drink in Japan. It is a culture by itself focusing on purity, tranquility and harmony. This practise was advocated by tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591), who was the favoured tea master of many, a powerful man in his days.

It was later researched that tea contains the amino acid, L-theanine, which promotes relaxation. Scientifically, drinking tea may promote a sense of mindfulness and it is suggested that it lowers the level of stress hormones.

18th century:

The beginning of Western influences

From 1868 when the government moved from Kyoto to Tokyo (Edo), Kyoto slowly transforms to a modern city.

(Salon de Royal in 1935)

The result is a delectable fusion of cultures, where classic Western chocolates are infused with Japanese ingredients and environment.